Synopses & Reviews
Diana Athill is one of the great editors in British publishing. For more than five decades she edited the likes of V. S. Naipaul and Jean Rhys, for whom she was a confidante and caretaker. As a writer, Diana Athill has made her reputation for the frankness and precisely expressed wisdom of her memoirs. Now in her ninety-first year, "entirely untamed about both old and new conventions" (Literary Review) and freed from any of the inhibitions that even she may have once had, Athill reflects candidly, and sometimes with great humor, on the condition of being old--the losses and occasionally the gains that age brings, the wisdom and fortitude required to face death. Distinguished by "remarkable intelligence...[and the] easy elegance of her prose" (Daily Telegraph), this short, well-crafted book, hailed as "a virtuoso exercise" (Sunday Telegraph) presents an inspiring work for those hoping to flourish in their later years.
Review
When it comes to facing old age, writes Athill, there are no lessons to be learnt, no discoveries to be made, no solutions to offer. As the acclaimed British memoirist (who wrote about her experiences as a book editor in Stet) pushes past 90, she realizes that there is not much on record on falling away and resolves to set down some of her observations. She is bluntly unconcerned with conventional wisdom, unapologetically recounting her extended which is why it was no big deal for her to invite his next mistress to move in with them to save expenses. She is equally frank in discussing how, as their life turns sad and boring, she copes with his declining health, just as she cared for her mother in her final years. Firmly resolute that no afterlife awaits her, Athill finds just enough optimism in this world to keep her reflections from slipping into morbidity'"she read.
Review
"[Athill] is bluntly unconcerned with conventional wisdom... . Firmly resolute that no afterlife awaits her, Athill finds just enough optimism in this world to keep her reflections from slipping into morbidity--she may not offer much comfort, but it's a bracing read." Publishers Weekly
Review
An honest joy to read.
Review
"With the wisdom of nine decades, Diana Athill gives us a memoir that faces aging unflinchingly. From the end of sexual desire to her thoughts and fears on dying and God, Athill deals with growing old with bravery, humor and honesty. What a woman! What a life! What a gorgeous book!" Ann Hood, author of Comfort and The Knitting Circle
Review
"One of England's notable book editors examines life, old age and approaching death with astonishing candor...distinguished by her spare, direct prose...Although she knows that death cannot be far off, the present is full of quiet satisfactions...Fiercely intelligent, discomfortingly honest and never dull." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[A] little literary gem, penned by a marvelous, feisty old character whom, quite honestly, I'd just love to have as my grandmother...What a treasure." Val Hennessy
Review
"An astute editor, she writes with precision and clarity, using one word to convey an idea that a lesser writer might expand into a paragraph....[Athill is] an enlightened woman." Daily Mail
Review
"Reflections on old age, rather than on a long life lived are rare...It is rarer still for a woman to write such a book: so Athill's candor and economic prose on religion, regrets, and sex are invigorating." Mary Russell The Irish Times
Review
"An honest joy to read." Alice Munro
Synopsis
An esteemed memoirist examines aging with the grace of Elegy for Irisand the wry irreverence of I Feel Bad About My Neck.
Synopsis
One of the great editors in British publishing reflects candidly and with great humor on the condition of being old--the triumphs and tragedies, as well as the wisdom and fortitude required to face death.
Synopsis
Winner of the 2009 National Book Critics Circle Award in Autobiography and a bestseller: a prize-winning, critically acclaimed memoir on life and aging --"An honest joy to read" (Alice Munro).
About the Author
Born in 1917 and educated at Oxford University, Diana Athill has written several memoirs, including Instead of a Letter, After a Funeral, Somewhere Towards the End, and the New York Times Notable Book Stet, about her fifty-year career in publishing. She lives in London and was recently appointed an Officer of the British Empire.